DeKALB | “Jacob was her life,” said friend Lauren Paulsen.

Elizabeth Kotecki, a political science major at NIU, and her 15-month-old son Jacob were killed in a four-car accident near Burlington around 3 p.m. Friday.

The Kane County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the fatal crash which occurred on Plank Road one mile east of Romke Road.

Four others were transported to area hospitals by ambulance and a fifth was airlifted.

Friends say Kotecki was a devoted mother, a good neighbor and a great friend.

“She never thought she’d be so domestic in her life,” Paulsen said.

Kotecki was going back home to see her parents when the accident occurred, Paulsen said.

Nicholas Miller said he and his roommates spent time with Kotecki and her son almost every day.

“She was an amazing individual,” Miller said. “She had a very big heart; I appreciate that she was willing to listen.”

Kotecki’s brother Andrew plans to announce information regarding her and Jacob’s wake and funeral on her Facebook page.

Kotecki’s 23rd birthday would have been last Saturday, Feb. 17.